I’m used to going out and talking with car insurance agents about my desired car insurance policies, but can you tell me what benefits will I get when doing my Florida car insurance quote comparisons in the Internet?

Mandy

Miami Florida

Like any other services offered in the Internet, doing your car insurance quote comparisons is easier, quicker, more productive and more efficient than going around the city to meet your car insurance agents or brokers from various insurance companies or making telephone calls to the different insurers.

Making your Florida quote comparison is easy through online because you just need to have an Internet access to get into the insurance web sites. All you have to do is answer one questionnaire about details relating to your car insurance and after you submit, you will have various car insurance quotes from many insurance companies. Worried about security? Don’t. Some web sites will only need you to disclose general information such as your age, gender, general location, and car model. You don’t have to disclose your social security number or license number for security purposes.

Making your Florida car insurance quote comparisons is fast through the Internet since you get your insurance quotes in a matter of minutes. There’s no more waiting for days while your insurance agent search and compile the insurance quotes for you. There’s no more telephone calls to attend to.

You are more productive when doing your comparisons through the Internet since you have many car insurance quotes in just one sitting. The more insurance quotes you have, the more you can assess which car insurance policy is for you.

Efficiency is also achieved when doing car insurance quote comparisons online because aside from having the car insurance quotes you needed to in just a short time, the Internet also provides a vast wealth of information that you might need. Whether you need information about car insurance, either the most basic terms to the overwhelmingly complicated procedures, the Internet has information for you. The Internet has also available resources to determine which insurance companies are reliable and financially strong.

I hope these things have changed your mindset in favor of doing your car insurance comparisons online.

I am financing my car here in Miami Florida. Do I need to get full coverage auto insurance?

Michelle

Miami Florida

Usually the leasing company will require you to get full coverage auto insurance of physical damage coverage on your car. Physical damage coverage consist of collision and comprehensive coverage.

Comprehensive Coverage Covers your car resulting from incidents other than collision. This type of coverage covers your car if it is stolen; or damaged by flood, fire, or animals. This covers your car less the deductible you choose.

Collision Coverage pays damage to your vehicle when your automobile hits, or is hit by, another car, or object.

Additionally, you will need Property Damage Liability and PIP to the requirements of the State of Florida.

You will need to choose limits for your Property Damage Liability and Bodily Injury Liability in Miami Florida.

I’ve heard that there are some ‘hidden factors’ that insurance companies check when they charge premiums for a van auto insurance policy. Are there particular factors that affect the costs of van motor insurance in Florida?

Tim

Orlando, FL

The main determinants for both car and van motor insurance in Florida, or anywhere else in the U.S. for that matter, are usually driver history, car model and choice of coverage. However, what you’ve heard is actually true: there are some, less well-known factors that insurance companies take into consideration when computing policy premiums:

• Credit Rating
The logic behind this is that your credit history is a sign of your responsibility. If you can maintain a good credit history, it shows that you’re responsible behind the wheel and that you’re less likely to get into an accident. If you have a not-so-good credit history, they will assume that it will affect your driving skills adversely. So maintain a good credit history if you’re browsing for van motor insurance policies.

• Safety Rating
Each car has a safety rating from “A” to “E”, with safer vehicles rated “A” and riskier vehicles rated “E.” The lower the safety rating of your car, the higher the insurance premium you’re going to have to pay. So try and find a car with a high safety rating. If you’re using a van, check if there are electronic stabilizer systems to significantly increase your van’s safety rating.

• Job Stability
With the effects of the financial crisis shedding jobs left and right, it’s important that you’re able to prove you’re stable with your job. Do that, and you’ll be able to negotiate for lower policy premiums by proving your ability to keep paying.

I’m a relatively new homemaker here in Florida. My husband is a pretty smart guy and works hard for a living. I’m pretty sure that he’s about ready to buy me a car for me to get around town. Frankly, I’d like to impress him by letting him feel I did my homework on cars and auto insurance. I heard that auto insurance is a killer, so I’d like to help him with comparing discounts.

Irene

Miami, FL

Hi there, Irene. First of all, you are a lucky woman to have your hardworking husband over there in Florida. And he is lucky, too. It is quite commendable that you would want to lessen his load on coming up with a good auto insurance policy for you. You may want to impress him not only with your knowledge but also getting cheaper auto insurance for him. As a home maker, you should also be concerned of the monthly premiums your husband has to pay for auto insurance.

Since you are no stranger to online activity, you can certainly maximize the opportunity to get cheaper auto insurance rates. You can also browse the different auto insurance websites to get a cheap quote.

For other things to do, here are some ideas. First, decide on what car you are getting. Let’s face it. You’d be the one who’d end up choosing. Is it going to be brand-new or a second-hand car? Check the safety ratings of the car you’re planning to buy, and it’s usually the less expensive vehicle that’ll get a positive view from auto insurance companies.

Of course, these will a play as significant factors in your auto insurance rates. Are you a new driver? If yes, then do take some driving classes, too. It is possible that you can get a discount if you do this. You can also try if the auto insurance companies have a program for mileage limits in a year.

Ask for discounts, you never know what you might be able to get and how much you can save by asking.  Some popular discounts can be given for:

1. Military personnel

2. Good grade students

3. Union membership and bank member affiliations

4. Safe drivers with no claims in last 7 years

5. Defensive driving school attendance

6. Clean credit history – used by many carriers to determine payment risk

I live in Davie Florida and I do not have a vehicle or auto insurance. My dad is giving me his vehicle. My father lives in Michigan and that is where the vehicle is currently registered and insured. What so I have to do to insure and register the car here?

Don

Davie, FL

It would sound that you have a FL license, which will help you obtain car insurance and register the vehicle in your resident in Davie, FL. The FL Department of Highway Safety and Motor Vehicles (HSMV) lists exactly how to register a vehicle in this state.

When registering a car in FL you need to submit the original title and proof of FL insurance to the license plate agency or local county tax collector. FL insurance means that the insurance policy has been issued in FL by an insurance carrier licensed by the FL Department of Insurance to do business in Florida.

You need registration to obtain car insurance but you need insurance to obtain a registration.

Can you own a vehicle that will not be driven such as parts car without insurance on it in the Hollywood, Florida?

Steven

Hollywood, FL

The Florida Department of Highway Safety and Motor Vehicles states that if you own a car with at least 4 wheels and are registering it, you must have FL car insurance. Therefore all registered vehicles in Florida require Florida car insurance.

Since a parts car is not likely to be registered it may be possible to keep this inoperable vehicle without insuring if it is not being used and if it is kept off of public highways and if your county permits it. According to the HSMV site some counties in FL require that all cars remain registered, if this is the case in your area in Hollywood, Florida then you will need to keep the vehicle registered and insured.

You may also contact the Department of Highway Safety and Motor Vehicles to find out for sure if you are able to keep an inoperable vehicle (parts car) without having it registered or insured.

Should I include a friend of mine coming from France in my insurance policy if she wants to drive my vehicle?

Rick

Boynton Beach, FL

Between different insurers and states, the answer could be different.

The general rule is that you should disclose all motorist to your insurance provider.

I you fail to disclose all licensed drivers, who are residents of your household, including those with a learner’s permit, and all violations and accidents attributable to any of these drivers, may result in voidance of coverage, cancellation of the policy, non-renewal of the policy or additional premium. Any individual who knowingly and with intent to injure,deceive or defraud, any insurance company, files a statement of claim or an application containing false, misleading or incomplete information, is guilty of a felony of the 3rd degree in Florida.

So, all household residents must be disclosed or listed. If an individual is not a household resident and you give them permission to operate your vehicle then they should be covered by your insurance policy.

The easiest way to check is by calling your insurance company in Boynton Beach, FL and ask them their requirements.

My girlfriend had a clean driving record until recently when she received her first speeding ticket and received five points on her license. She moved to Pennsylvania and she still has a Florida license. I would like to know if her license get suspended and will this affect her obtaining her PA license?

Marla

Boca Ciega, FL

According to Florida statutes, you receive points on your license for out of state tickets or violations in Florida if it is a points accessible violation . The motorist will receive the same number of points as if the conviction occurred in state.

North Carolina and Pennsylvania including Florida are all part of the Drivers License Compact and Non-Violators Compact so each state shares violation information. As long as your girlfriend takes care of these speeding tickets properly, generally they should not affect her being able to exchange her Florida license for a Pennsylvania license.

To check what procedures you need to follow to obtain a Pennsylvania license contact the Pennsylvania Driver and Vehicle Services.

Reader’s Question:

I am aware of a an 80 year old driver that is driving without insurance and an expired license in Clearwater, Florida. Also his driving ability is not safe very at all. Is there any way to get law enforcement involved? We feel he will take this much better if we can turn it into a legal case and not us taking away his vehicle.

Jim

Clearwater, FL

It sounds like you are taking the proper steps to provide the senior driver the transportation they need once their car has been taken away. In most states there are ways in which to have the law enforcement involved, especially if the individual is not carrying insurance nor has a valid license. Typically you can obtain this information from your DMV or Highway Safety Agency.

The state of Florida permits for those that know of an unsafe driver to make a report to the DHSMV. The report has to be in writing and provide specific details of the individual. These reports are kept confidential and shall only be used to know the qualifications of the person to operate a car.

Hi I’m Warren and I want to know how long do I have to wait for a refund when I remove a vehicle from my insurance policy, and the premium has been paid in full for the year? I live in Orlando, FL.

Wallace

Orlando, FL

The period of time in which you should receive your refund from a car insurance company for removing a vehicle from your policy will generally be dictated by state statutes or laws. Many states require car insurance companies to send you a refund for their unearned premiums within 30 days.

For instance, Florida has state statute 627.7283 which says that the unearned premium must be returned within 30 days of the insurance company’s receipt of the written request for cancellation, or the company must pay interest at the rate of 8%. If a premium finance company is involved, the insurance company is responsible to refund to the premium finance company within 30 days.

To find out what law your state has set forth regarding car insurance refunds you should check with your state’s insurance regulatory agency.